Olympics map add fuel to Japan-South Korea row

South Korea protests use of disputed islands in Sea of Japan in online map for 2020 Tokyo Olympics

By Riyaz ul Khaliq

ANKARA (AA) - Japan on Wednesday reiterated its claim over disputed islands in the Sea of Japan, rejecting a protest lodged by South Korea over “inclusion of these islets in an online map for the 2020 Tokyo Olympics”, according to media reports.

"We told the South Korean side that, in view of our stance on the sovereignty of Takeshima and the Sea of Japan, it was totally unacceptable," The Mainichi, a Japanese daily, quoted Japan’s Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshihide Suga as saying.

Japan calls the disputed islets as “Takeshima”, while South Korea calls them “Dokdo”. The islands are controlled by South Korea.

Japan will host the Olympics in 2020 and preparations are ongoing for the massive event which will witness tens of hundreds of sports participants, officials and fans traveling to Tokyo.

“The map on the official website for the Tokyo Olympics and Paralympics organizing committee shows torch relay routes across the country and the islets appear on it,” the daily said.

Also, Tokyo on Tuesday slammed South Korea for “taking action” against Russian plane for allegedly violating air space over the disputed islets.